49ers-Broncos

Most of you probably have already heard that Ted Robinson, the 49ers’ new play-by-play man, has been called away due to the death of his father. Our condolances to Ted, who’s one of the good guys. Joe Fonzi, who replaced the ailing Joe Starkey last year for two games, will call the action with Gary Plummer.

Here’s a sign of the times, when I drove into my long-time parking stall at Candlestick Park and there was crabgrass in it.

Since many of you will be watching the game while checking out the blog, I thought I would follow the secondary and the receivers as much as possible, since that’s something the television doesn’t show. It’s difficult to do because the natural inclination is to follow the ball. Also, it’s hard to take in the entire secondary at once, but I’ll do my best.

Speaking of which, the receivers and defensive backs just came out, and the team looks sharp in their new/old uni’s.

Pleasanton Jr. Football League and the Peninsula Pop Warner Jr. Pee Wee League will square off for a scrimmage at halftime. It’s part of “USA Football Month.” The organization is hosting over 800 youth footballers for this game.

From hard-working cohort John Crumpacker – the 49ers won’t be trading wide receiver Michael Crabtree’s rights. Team President Jed York said the team is “all in” and they plan to eventually sign the top-round pick. Only Aaron Maybin, who’s right behind Crabtree at no. 11 to Buffalo and sixth rounder Andre Smith (Bengals) are unsigned along with Crabby.

By the way, I saw a little bit of the Ravens’ replay earlier on NFL Network. The other player the 49ers considered at no. 10, tackle Michael Oher is not only signed, he looked like a beast against the Redskins. At one point he threw a Washingon defensive end. Oher lost his helmet on the play and emerged with his face covered in blood. He returned to the game.

49ERS FIRST DRIVE: Arnaz Battle got the start along side Josh Morgan. A splendid first series by Shaun Hill in leading the 49ers to a 38-yard field goal by Alex Romero. Hill was 2 for 2 for 41 yards, with both completions to Vernon Davis. On each throw Hill threw just before defenders closed on him. Morgan and Battle looked like they had trouble getting open. Hill was sacked twice, one coming in less than three second when Elvis Dummervil overwhelmed Zak Keasey at fullback. Hill then went down after holding the ball for over four seconds. Glen Coffee looked good, breaking a tackle while ripping off a 12-yard run. The Nolan-coached defense went with an 8-man front in the first couple of plays than went to a 2-deep look after Hill completed a few passes.

BRONNCOS FIRST DRIVE: A little messy on defense. They left Brandon Stokely alone for a 9-yard gain and then Manny Lawson lined up in the nuetral zone. Receiver Eddie Royal got way too much cushion from Nate Clements and quarterback Kyle Orton went to the right almost exclusively. Orton bailed out the 49ers by throwing a bad pass in the end zone for tight end Daniel Graham that went to the outside shoulder, where Clements was there to intercept.

49ERS SECOND DRIVE: Battle and Davis don’t get open and on the right side, Smith has no where to go doesn’t get rid of it, and is sacked on the last play of the first quarter. These quarterbacks don’t seem to have much time at all. That was the last play of the first quarter. Smith got luck and nearly threw a pick if Champ Bailey had turned around on third down. Instead Josh Morgan made the reception just short of the first down.

BRONCOS SECOND DRIVE: Keasey went into the locker room with a forearm injury. If it’s broken, that would not be good. Shawntae Spencer comes in on third down as the nickel back and Dre Bly kicks inside. The 49ers are going with their second team secondary now and making other defensive changes. The Broncos have their first team in. First round rookie Knowshon Moreno is now in. Nice pass break up by Marcus Hudson while playing zone on Brandon Stokley. Dre Bly gets a pick while playing the nickel back spot. He stepped in front of Stokley. Another bad pass by Orton. Bly looks good and you can tell he loves the tight coverage. The 49ers first backups at corner are Spencer and Hudson.

49ERS THIRD DRIVE: It’s Alex again with the first team offensive line. The 49ers are going almost exclusively with two tight-end and two receiver looks. The one time they went to three receiver, Michael Spurlock came in. Coffee is going to need some caffine. He’s been getting a lot of work and made a great surge on a short yardage down to get the first. On third down, Smith threw the ball in between his two receivers, Spurlock and Morgan. I think on both his last third-down throws, he wasn’t sure where he was going. It will be interesting if we see Hill now. The 49ers were forced to punt again.

BRONCOS THIRD DRIVE: The 49ers are going fully with their second-team defense on this drive against the Broncos first team. On third down, the 49ers down men are Marques Harris, Balmer, Evans and Ahmad Brooks. Reggie Smith picked off another Orton pass! Can anyone say Jay Cutler. It was a nice pick by Smith on a blitz by the 49ers. The 49ers are at the Denver 3

49ERS FOURTH DRIVE: Still Alex Smith and he throws a TD to Britt Miller, the third-string fullback. However, it took him awhile to find Miller. He could have thrown the ball a half second earlier. Romero missed the extra point. The Broncos are giving this game to the Niners.

BRONCOS FOURTH DRIVE: The second-string extra DB – Allen Rossum. How about that. I guess they don’t have a lot of confidence in their rookie free agent corners. The 49ers are not backing off the blitzing. They ran two zone blitzes in a row and then blitzed Dre Bly from the slot. For this secondary, there’s blood in the water with Orton. Two minute warning.

BRONCOS DRIVE CONT: Denver sent everyone deep on third down, and the 49ers were all over it. They force a punt.

49ERS FIFTH DRIVE: Smith again. Where’s the love for Hill? Great play by Smith, the two receivers on his right were covered and he went smoothly to the left to Morgan for the first down. The 49ers are now going with a three-receiver look for their two-minute offense with Vernon Davis split out just a little from the tackle. The 49ers are giving up on this two-minute drive and going to go halftime leading in 9-0. Coffee finished with 67 yards 14 carries with 4.8 yards per carry.